With so many different shapes and sizes out there, it can be difficult deciding which brushes you actually need in your arsenal. We’ve rounded up ten makeup brushes that are essential to any beauty routine and will keep your makeup looking #flawless.
Foundation Brush
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For blending in foundation, stick to brushes made with synthetic bristles rather than natural for easy blending of liquid or cream products. Choose a fluffy, synthetic brush for natural-looking application by buffing the product over the skin in circular motions. We love Real Techniques’ Expert Face Brush or Buffing Brush for good coverage and even application of liquid foundation.
[separator type=”thin”]Stippling Brush
Every makeup junkie knows that a stippling brush is a must in every makeup bag. Versatile and used to create a natural finish, stippling brushes can apply anything from foundation to cream blush or bronzer. Try M.A.C.’s 130 Duo Fibre Brush or Sephora’s 44 Pro Stippling Brush to blend liquid or cream products onto the skin.
[separator type=”thin”]Powder Brush
No makeup look is complete without setting the face with powder so it’s a no-brainer that a fluffy powder brush is on this list. When it comes to powder or dry products, use a brush made with natural or real hair because they tend to pick up less product and create a smoother, more natural-looking finish. Choose a large, paddle-shaped powder brush, like M.A.C.’s 127 Split Fibre Face Brush, and dip the brush into powder, dusting the product over your face in light, sweeping motions.
[separator type=”thin”]Angled Contour Brush
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For special occasions or just everyday contour, an angled contour brush can help you achieve perfectly chiseled cheekbones. All you need is bronzer in the shade of your choice and a natural-briseled contour brush with a slanted tip. Try Kat Von D’s Shade + Light Contour Brush to sculpt your cheekbones.
[separator type=”thin”]Blush/Bronzer Brush
The last thing you want to do after carefully applying foundation is to ruin the entire look by disturbing your makeup. That’s why a soft-haired, natural blush brush is integral to any makeup routine. For easy blending, dip a dome-shaped brush into your blush or bronzer, tap off the excess, and sweep the product all over your cheeks for a perfectly sun-kissed look. We love M.A.C.’s 129 Powder/Blush Brush.
[separator type=”thin”]Flat Eye Shadow Brush
Used to apply shadow all over the lid, use a flat eye shadow brush with soft, natural bristles. To pack on the pigment, the stiff bristles pick up more color than fluffier brushes and provide you with allover eye shadow color. Using M.A.C.’s 239 Eye Shader Brush, sweep shadow outwards across the lids.
[separator type=”thin”]Eye Shadow Blending Brush
You can’t have eye shadow without a brush to blend it in. Using windshield wiper motions, take the M.A.C. 217 Blending Brush and blend out shadow into the crease, moving from the outer edge inwards.
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Angled Eyeliner Brush
Whether you’re applying gel eyeliner or just filling in your brows, an angled eyeliner brush is a makeup bag must-have. For your brows, take the M.A.C. 263 Small Angle Brush, dipping it into a powder or cream product, and filling in sparse brows with short strokes. For eyeliner, run the angled brush along your top lash line, starting from the outside corner inwards.
[separator type=”thin”]Spoolie Brush
The surefire way to prevent harsh and drawn-in eyebrows? This multi-tasking spoolie brush that works to brush out eyebrow product and fan out eyelashes. Just use the M.A.C. 204 Lash Brush to tame unruly eyebrow hairs and groom clumpy lashes.
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Lip Brush
For the perfect red lip, invest in a tipped lip brush to easily blend in lipstick and lip liner. Taking the M.A.C. 316 Lip Brush, evenly disperse creams and lipstick across the lips with the tapered tip, starting from the center and moving outwards.
What makeup brushes do you have in your bag? Let us know in the comments!
Text by: Summer Lin
Featured image: Backstage Elie Saab 2015 at Paris Fashion Week
Lo Bosworth
